United Training

It’s actually quite an accomplishment to be well prepared for a thru-hike. By well prepared, I mean prepared in all areas which include training, equipment, knowledge of the region and it’s weather, a setup of communications while abroad from family and friends, permits, visa extensions, itineraries, finance for the trip as well as for ongoing home requirements. Covering these aspects takes time, time which one may not have enough of which in-turn leads to prioritising. As time closes in I always find, just as most people would, that my training is the first area of preparation which takes a back seat.

This year was the first year I started without setting New Years Resolutions. I just had too much to do. On the work front, things became incredibly demanding. A couple of extra flights down from the Gold Coast to Sydney were called for which made January through to March an incredibly stressful time. One question kept looming. Would my brother and I be ready for our six month adventure?

It turns out that Keno and I at least had time for one last training hike out to the lighthouse. We’ve been training on our own for months as we live in different states, so hiking with like-minded company really brought on another level of appreciation to training for our long hike ahead. We were now united.

After our hike, the two of us then started packing for two days straight. Fortunately we are flying Delta Airlines who are way more generous than our home grown airlines – allowing us double baggage check-in. Not 23kg’s but 46kg’s each! Plus hand luggage! Sweet Pumpkin Pie! – for two!

With just 25hrs before departure I really shouldn’t be putting this post together but I mainly wanted to share our last few photos from home.

We’ll see you out there!

Keno, looking back on the coastal miles we had just covered.This lighthouse reminds me of Cape Reinga – the start of my brothers traverse of New Zealand in 2011.

Yes! I can’t believe how fast this last week has travelled and I see you made the feature image of this post. Well done!! Thanks for your continuous support and for also deciding to make this adventure a part of your life too. I noticed how much faster the miles ticked over while in your company as opposed to the months I’ve hiked alone. Times like these are best shared!

My brother Kenyon taking a moment to enjoy the sunset after a long day on trail – Whananaki Bridge, New Zealand – 2nd November 2011

Dusk sets in – looking south towards the skyline of the Gold Coast – just over an hours hike away (4 miles / 6.4 kilometres).

My favourite section of track en route to the Jetty. The late afternoon shadows of trees which cross the track give me the sense that I’m walking slightly faster.

Sunrise over North Head, Sydney Harbour, Australia

Bluff at Sterling Point New Zealand, is well renowned for it’s starting and finishing point for thru-hikers. A passer by cheers Kenyon on towards the finish of his 3300km traverse.

With only 38 kilometres (24miles) remaining of his traverse, I took this photo of Kenyon brandishing his well earned flag which I designed for him. I had the design printed on satin while in Sydney a few weeks before my flight over to join Kenyon in New Zealand. I waited for the right moment – and on his second last day of his 3,300km long traverse, I handed it to him before he set off in the morning to cross the Riverton Bridge. It was an emotional moment for both of us as he unraveled his flag – making it one of the moments in our lives that we would never forget. Every town and city he’d hiked through is listed on the flag along with the TNZ logo which I designed for him when I first heard that he’d be hiking the length of New Zealand. There was just the right amount of wind that day which had the flag flying proud and strong.

Looking down to the colourful village of Namche Bazar and the Dudh Kosi Valley edging is way back down to Lukla – the gateway to Mt. Everest and the the Khumbu Glacier (the world’s highest glacier).

Kathmandu, Nepal: A Hindu sadhu – holy man – dressed as Hanuman (the monkey god) at The Pashupatinath Temple. Dozens of sadhus live around the temple devoting their life to Lord Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction.

Taken just to the left of entrance to the Sheikh Zayed Mosque. Constructed from 1996 to 2007 – it is the largest mosque in the United Arab Emirates.

A lucky break in the clouds. Looking up at Everest after Keno and I descend down to the mid point of Kala Patthar. The clouds added to the mystique of our surroundings. A short-lived yet unforgettable sight for each of us!

The view from The Burj Khalifa observation deck.

Cooling off in the fountains of The Emirates Palace – Abu Dhabi

Keno and I both claim to have taken this photo of the other. It must have been the combination of cold and the altitude bringing on high altitude subcortical dementia;). Seeing as it’s my blog, I’m going to lay claim on this photo. Kenyon catching some morning warmth outside the mess tent – Island Peak Base Camp.

Looking south down the Dudh Khoshi Valley towards Mt. Kangtega (mid peak). We are en route to Gokyo Lakes. Two days from when this photos was taken, Nepal would experience it’s biggest snow storm of the century.

Kenyon going through a gear check on the foothills of Island Peak.

Buddhist Stupa on the Everest trail (just north of Namche Bazaar), Himalaya, Nepal.